It has been all over the internet. I don’t want to retell the story of what has taken place regarding the invitation to Louie in giving the benediction at the Inauguration. If you haven’t read what transpired, I think THIS is a good place to start.
As I have read a handful of opinions on what has transpired there is something that has struck a nerve in my heart. Let me begin by saying that I do not know Louie personally. I have some very good friends that know him well and speak the world of him. I have listened to 8-10 of his sermons and have always enjoyed his teaching. I believe that he has had a phenomenal impact on college students for generations through Passion Ministries. I have an incredible amount of appreciation and admiration for his heart and faithfulness. I also appreciate how he has handled this situation.
I appreciate the way Louie has handled this situation (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
The issue that really bothers me in the conversation that is happening right now is the way ‘anti-gay’ is being used. Homosexuality is a sin. The Bible is clear on this issue. However, the Bible doesn’t instruct us to treat homosexuals as outcasts. It calls us to walk in repentance and invite others along the journey with us. Homosexuality is a sin in the same way that heterosexual extra-marital sex is a sin. Further, it is a sin the same as intoxication, pride or idolatry.
So, if ‘anti-gay’ is the same as being ‘anti-sin’ then I think we should be fully behind this lingo being tossed about in the media. But, if ‘anti-gay’ is about being ‘anti’ an individual who is walking in sin then we missed the mission and message of Jesus Christ all together. The gospel is a gift that brings us freedom from our sin enslavement. Those of us who follow Jesus have been called to spend time with those who live life hopelessly entrapped by sin – not treat them like lepers.
Jesus taught a message that was offensive and polarizing in his day. As we are faithful to carry that same message into our contemporary culture, it will continue to be offensive and polarizing. Yet amidst Jesus’ offensive message he loved on people who were deep in the trenches of sinful living. The woman at the well was shocked that he would even speak to her (John 4). That surprise was surely a reaction to the way others treated her.
As Louie has done in his faithful obedience to Christ’s model, let’s communicate the offensive and polarizing message of the entire Bible. Let’s proclaim with authenticity our own sinfulness and rhythm of repentance as we walk deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s be stewards of THE truth. Let’s also be stewards of the love and compassion which we find in the life of Jesus. Unfortunately, demonstrating the love of Jesus will often times be just as polarizing (to a different audience) as the truths of his message.
Let’s be people who love the truth and are disgusted by sin (in our own hearts and the sin around us). Let’s be people who are constantly loving people as we carry an ‘anti-sin’ message through the medium of love, hope, and reconciliation.
Matt Powell serves as teaching pastor at Crossings Community Church, a body of believers whose mission is to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation in Katy, TX.
The only thing I’m surprised about is that people are surprised. Giglio is a solid dude but all Christians need to realize that all it takes is believing the Bible is true to make you a homophobe in many people’s eyes. Your post is spot on. Making distinctions between this and other sin makes you come across as unloving and agenda driven instead of gospel driven. Our sin condemns us. We need rescuing. We want more to be rescued.
Yes! Our sinful tendency is to want to play God and decide who is more and less righteous when in fact we are all equally unrighteous apart from Jesus.
I disagree somewhat in the proposition that sexual sins, including homosexuality, are the same as other sins. I think in terms of salvation and the need for salvation, there are no differences.
Sexual sins are, however, different than many other sins in that sexually oriented sins can be more devastating to the individual. All sin destroys in some way, but those sins associated with the sexuality of human beings can be more damaging / debilitating. Although lying is a sin and a person can be a perpetual liar, this sin would probably not affect the core or essence of that person. Conversely, sexual identification and sexual drive are more integral to whom we are and sin related to our sexual being can thus be more devastating.
Thus, in my opinion, sexual sins are the same before God, but potentially more devastating to individuals here and now.
I agree David. Good point. There is no doubt that our sins have varying ramifications on those around us.
Thankfully our gift of grace isn’t awarded based on the severity, or lack there of, regarding those ramifications. Righteousness is so uncomfortably simple… we are unrighteous apart from Jesus and enslaved by sin or righteous through faith in Jesus and free from that sin enslavement.
Your point is a good reminder which makes following Christ’s model of loving the ‘unlovable’ all the more challenging.
Thanks David!
Certain sins have more visible and damaging effects. I would include sexual sin in this group. No disagreement there as I Corinthians 6:18 indicates. “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sine a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” But, we need to be wise in how we are perceived and strive to speak truth in love to remove as many obstacles to someone hearing the gospel.